Parking

Increased parking charges have come into force in Topsham this week, despite objections from traders, councillors and residents.

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The new charges apply to the town’s Matthews Hall and Topsham Quay car parks, which have both been reclassified as short stay car parks.

The change means that the cost of two hours parking at the sites has more than doubled to £2.20, and the cost of a day’s parking at Topsham Quay has rocketed to £10.80 – an increase of 600 per cent.

The plans were revealed last December, and were immediately criticised by traders, who said they had not been consulted.

They argued that the changes would damage trade and deter tourists, and a letter of protest was sent to Exeter City Council, along with a petition of more than 1,000 signatures against the plan.

Topsham city councillor Margaret Baldwin said: “The council has refused to listen to the objections of the Topsham traders and residents.

“Once again they have not consulted local people about the effect on their community.

“It’s a sad day for Topsham.”

Liz Hodges, of Route 2 Café Bar, said: “We’re pretty annoyed, because we had a petition and letters and the executive meeting didn’t even look at them.

“We were trying to work with them, we came up with a compromise and they haven’t even considered it – they’ve just rail-roaded it through.

“We’re fed up with how there’s no listening and no communication at all.

“They don’t explain anything.”

The traders have now asked for a meeting with the council to discuss the issue.